[BgpOoGI2]

There is a very strange "ecumenical" function happening in Ireland called "Liturgy of Word and Water."

Here is the link: http://rorate-caeli.blogspot.com/201...-congress.html

I find it highly disturbing that Metropolitan Hilarion Alfeyev is a part of this. Any comments?

[ButKnillinoi]

Unless compelling evidence is provided to the contrary, I will assume that, other than providing a homily, Metropolitan Hilarion will not be an active celebrant of this service. In that a separate Catholic Mass will also be held before hand makes me think that the Catholics will certainly not be actively celebrating this obviously Anglican service either, although they will evidently be in attendance as well. There have been other similar situations where an Orthodox hierarch was in attendance and provided a homily without celebrating , but sat on a chair away from the altar to the side through the service with other invited clergy from other churches.

O those Anglicans and their happy little "branch theology". At least they will hopefully be exposed to an authentic Orthodox view in the homily, although I inwardly cringe a little at the appearance of impropriety that the weak brother may be led astray.

[cut sifted ephedra sinica]

Please see my recent post on the Ecumenism thread. Attending ecumenical meetings doesn't in itself make one a denier of the Faith. Explicit denial of the faith does.

I'm not at all a fan of really ecumenical meetings that exist only to promote unity. (I think that unity always starts with the Church first). But there really can be a place to testify about the Faith in other settings to other Christians and other people in general. This could come under the heading of 'inspiring others'. And if such a talk by one of our hierarchs serves this purpose in this poor world of ours, then thanks be to God!

There's the reality of the Church which we certainly shouldn't deny. But we also should not prevent the inspiration which this provides from also being shown to others.

In Christ
-Fr Raphael

[BgpOoGI2]

So then....one can be the homilist without actively participating in the service?

[ButKnillinoi]

Well, not in an Orthodox service, but this is not an Orthodox service (in any sense of the word I suspect). The sponsors of this "activity" are calling it a homily, the Archbishop may be thinking of it merely as a speech or presentation in a religious setting, not that I'm very comfortable with that but then I don't wear those particular funny hats.

Herman the Pooh who has his own collection of hats, funny or otherwise

[hotelhyatt]

The comments to the web page say a lot and show the gulf that exists between those at the top in the western churches and the people.

[BgpOoGI2]

Yes. I am squirming also.

[hotelhyatt]

And the last time Met. Hilarion got close to the Roman Catholics, he was shouted down in his own cathedral in Moscow as a heretic. That was two years ago. The babushkas ain't gonna like this!

[dodadaxia]

I find it amusing that a Rev Michael Jackson will be participating.

[hotelhyatt]

I didn't know General Jackson had become a cleric!